Ways to Figure Out if Water Damage is New or Old

When you have clogged sinks, bathtubs or toilets that overflow, you know that water damage restorations will be required. Still, your residence can come under water damage in ways that aren’t as visible. Since you have pipes running throughout your home, you can have a leaky pipe or a buildup of condensation between your walls or ceilings. It’s an inconvenient problem because this isn’t in sight- you won’t recognize it until you there’s water damage, and then it’s difficult to pinpoint how long the issue has lingered.

Because the pipes aren’t visible, you can get an approximation of how long you’ve had water issues by examining the water damage itself. Unfortunately, it’s difficult to find out a precise timeline, but we have some advice on how to analyze the damage so you can come up with an approximate time on how long you’ve had water in the damaged space.

Figure Out the Lifetime of Your Water Damage

By practicing the tips listed below, you’ll be able to indicate the age of your water damage:

  • History of the House: An older residence might already have some previous water damage, so it’s critical to keep a record of what’s there and to note if the damage alters overtime. Tracking the weather is a good idea too, because if you have a modest leak, it can take months for a water spot to surface. Taking note of your water damages can save you lots of time when diagnosing whether your water damage is new or old.
  • History of the House: An older residence might already have some previous water damage, so it’s critical to keep a record of what’s there and to note if the damage alters overtime. Tracking the weather is a good idea too, because if you have a modest leak, it can take months for a water spot to surface. Taking note of your water damages can save you lots of time when diagnosing whether your water damage is new or old.
  • Touch the Spot: Go on and touch the spot, because this can tell you a lot about the age of the damage produced by water. A new spot will be wet but your drywall or ceiling will still be durable, while an old spot will be mushy and squishy because your material would have taken in a good amount of moisture.
  • Look for Rings: You know how tree rings presents how old a tree is? The same idea can be used for spots generated by water. An old water spot is going to have rings around it. They can also be discolored since the area gets wet then dries and gets wet again then dries again, etcetera. A new spot will be dark with zero rings circling it.
  • Examine the Materials: It’s crucial to be cognizant of the materials that make up your ceiling or walls, since things like tiles or thick paint can actually trap moisture. When this is the case, even a water spot that’s small can indicate the buildup of water has been around for a period of time.
  • Mold Inspection: If you find that bacteria, or mold, is there, your water damage has been present for nearly two to three days.
  • Rot: Rotting material means that your water damage is either happening on a regular basis or that it’s serious because there’s standing water. A first instance of damage produced by water typically won’t lead to deterioration.

Contact Paul – Your Skillful Water Damage Repair Specialists

For any water damage repair emergencies, call Paul Davis. When there’s a leak that you can’t detect, it’s essential to get in touch with an expert. Paul Davis’ skillful team has the industry knowledge and response time you need to get your home back in order. For a local franchise near your area, give us a call at 989-894-4450 and we’ll get an expert for your assistance.